Your Turn — June 22, 2012

Updated 5:07 pm, Thursday, June 21, 2012

Photo: Damian Dovarganes, Associated Press

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Students on June 14 in Culver City, Calif., demanded that the president cease the deportation of illegal immigrant students. The next day, he issued such an order — a decision that continues to generate passionate comment.

Students on June 14 in Culver City, Calif., demanded that the president cease the deportation of illegal immigrant students. The next day, he issued such an order — a decision that continues to generate

In the Your Turn section Tuesday, there was a prime example of why we get the government we deserve. When I took government in college we had a textbook titled, “Conflict and Consensus.” Seems as though that is not what we have today. The politicians today treat the “other side” as the enemy and employ a scorched-earth policy when it comes to discussing the other side.

In letters to the editor, that same vitriol is spewed against politicians from both sides. And each side can be just as nasty as the other. The point is, we are just mimicking the idiots in Washington. The last time I checked this was the United States of America. If the citizens can't act with civility toward each other, we sure as heck aren't going to get the boneheads in Congress to do so.

Demand that discussion replace attacks. We've gotten so tied up with being right that we don't know how to be happy. We have overcome huge problems in this country when our leaders have done wrong, and we fix it without firing a shot. If the tone continues to get nastier, I'm not sure that we will be able to continue to say that.

Whoa, Mr. Rainford, Ph.D. Since when is it “patently false that you can work your way out of poverty, if you but work hard enough?”

Actually, it is the only way out of poverty and, thankfully, it is still being done all over this country. The alternative is to have the government lift you out of poverty. We have been trying to do that unsuccessfully since the days of LBJ. Enough time spent in academia to earn a Ph.D. will, of course, have you believe that only the government can do it.

Beverage company consultant J. Tilley emphasizes that only 7 percent of the average American diet consists of sugary drinks. How utterly appalling! So, 7 percent of the average American diet has absolutely zero nutritional value and does nothing but get converted to fat. I wonder how many obese people would dearly love to lose 7 percent of their body weight while losing no nutritional value in their diets.

I wish everyone could see the faces of the young people coming to my office for information on how to apply for the deferred action status announced by President Obama on June 15. These “dreamers” are anxious to work, to contribute to our society, to make better lives for themselves and their families. In the process, they will make a better country for us all. Their faces reflect joy, relief, excitement and a sense of a new beginning. They have been given some acceptance by the country in which they grew up. It makes me proud to be an American, a citizen in the Nation of Immigrants.

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immigration lawyer

Deport families?

President Obama's calculated political decision to allow some 800,000 people to remain in the country without fear of deportation begs a question the media have conveniently ignored: What about their families?

As the government allows the covered individuals 16-30 years of age to stay in this country, it certainly does not intend to deport their parents and younger siblings. So when we read that 800,000 individuals will not be deported, think about their parents and an estimated two school-age siblings per family. That puts the number at an estimated 4 million.

In addition, it is reasonable to believe that thousands of those covered could be married with children, perhaps doubling the number of those escaping deportation to 8 million.

Can you imagine how many additional public employees will be required by Homeland Security to manage this “temporary amnesty” program?

Re: “A ‘Texas Miracle' on less than a living wage,” Chasnoff, Tuesday:

This is typical of the progressive movement complaining that jobs being created do not pay well enough. Six-hundred minimum wage jobs are better than no jobs at all. These jobs are usually taken by people without enough education or skills to qualify for higher paying jobs. At least they will have their dignity and self-respect for earning a living instead of receiving a check from the government.

A living wage should provide enough for food, shelter and clothing. One could go into debt if they wanted to add new SUVs, wide screen TVs, smart-phones and computers. It is about priorities. Most people have probably had low-wage jobs at one time and then moved up by acquiring more education or skills. There are always going to be minimum wage jobs; not everyone can be a scientist, doctor, lawyer or work at a newspaper. Who will mow the lawns, carry away the trash, serve the Big Mac, take your money at the grocery store, do the laundry, and man the gas station?

When will we ever learn that spending money isn't always the solution to our societal problems? I am not against education. Perhaps the tax is appropriate and I might approve of it. But until we solve the family problem, nothing is going to really improve.

Until more parents spend the time on right vs. wrong behavior, the value and understanding of money matters, care where they are and the friends they hang with, that they go to school and actually try to be the best they can be, care about their alcohol and drug usage, sexual behavior, etc., we might as well throw the cash on the ground. Heal the family and you heal 90 percent of the ills in our country. Spending more money is almost useless. We have proven that!